Nutrition data is readily available; for instance, you can access federal guidelines issued for public information and read the labels on food packages. Online sites and books of advice abound. There is more information than anyone can absorb. Both conventional and alternative views vie for attention and the money that consumers spend on food and supplements.
If you are just beginning a study of good food choices, the federal guidelines are not a bad place to start. You will get an overview of conventional wisdom about minimum daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, calories, protein, fats, and fiber. The human body is very efficient if given the nutrients it needs; a good diet is the foundation of health.
Things are complicated by the fact that everyone is an individual, with specific needs that might be different from those of the general public or even members of the same family. For instance, whole wheat bread could be a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and calcium for those who can digest wheat gluten without problems. For others, even one slice can cause gastric distress.
If a person has a sensitivity or an allergy to certain foods, they will probably be unable to absorb nutrients from that food. In fact, a severe case can mean that a person can eat a lot but actually suffer from malnutrition. Some processed food has too much sodium, an overload of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and are loaded with fat or sugar.
It is important to know what is in your food, where it comes from, and how fresh it is. Vitamins may break down over long periods of shipping or of sitting on a shelf, and minerals can be lost during preparation - such as in canned vegetables or soups. Fresh local produce may be a better choice, but it is still important to know how it was grown and prepared for market.
You will find experts - many of them medical doctors - who advocate lots of good fat, almost no fat at all, complex carbohydrates as the basic food group, low-carb and high-protein diets, fruit only, vegetables only, or who say that you can eat anything you want if you exercise enough. The trick is to find out what works for you, create a program that builds health and fosters ideal weight, and stick to it.
The best thing you can do is to find reputable sources of nutrition data, experiment with the advice, and see what works best for you. It is important to decide on a balanced diet that gives you all the nutrients you need from foods that work with your digestive system and metabolism. Don't be discouraged; the subject is interesting and it is possible to find your way through the maze.
If you are just beginning a study of good food choices, the federal guidelines are not a bad place to start. You will get an overview of conventional wisdom about minimum daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, calories, protein, fats, and fiber. The human body is very efficient if given the nutrients it needs; a good diet is the foundation of health.
Things are complicated by the fact that everyone is an individual, with specific needs that might be different from those of the general public or even members of the same family. For instance, whole wheat bread could be a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and calcium for those who can digest wheat gluten without problems. For others, even one slice can cause gastric distress.
If a person has a sensitivity or an allergy to certain foods, they will probably be unable to absorb nutrients from that food. In fact, a severe case can mean that a person can eat a lot but actually suffer from malnutrition. Some processed food has too much sodium, an overload of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and are loaded with fat or sugar.
It is important to know what is in your food, where it comes from, and how fresh it is. Vitamins may break down over long periods of shipping or of sitting on a shelf, and minerals can be lost during preparation - such as in canned vegetables or soups. Fresh local produce may be a better choice, but it is still important to know how it was grown and prepared for market.
You will find experts - many of them medical doctors - who advocate lots of good fat, almost no fat at all, complex carbohydrates as the basic food group, low-carb and high-protein diets, fruit only, vegetables only, or who say that you can eat anything you want if you exercise enough. The trick is to find out what works for you, create a program that builds health and fosters ideal weight, and stick to it.
The best thing you can do is to find reputable sources of nutrition data, experiment with the advice, and see what works best for you. It is important to decide on a balanced diet that gives you all the nutrients you need from foods that work with your digestive system and metabolism. Don't be discouraged; the subject is interesting and it is possible to find your way through the maze.
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